Life buoy belt



Jan. 5, 1937. J. GAMMAITONI LIFE BUOY BELT Filed Dec. 7, 1935 Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES LIFE BUOY BELT James Gammaitoni, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., assignor oi one-third to Joseph Gammaitoni and onethird to Noah 'Gammaitoni, both ofWiikes- Barre, Pa.

Application December 7, 1935, Serial No. 53,410

The invention relates to life buoy belts and has for its object to provide a device of this character comprising an inflatable member adapted to be strapped to the back of a person for supporting the body in an upwardly inclined position in the water and provided with means encircling the body of the wearer for attaching the inflatable member to the back.

A further object is to form the inflatable member from a pliable material so that when it is inflated, it will conform to the contour of the wearers back for insuring a snugnon-movable fit, and chafing of the back is prevented by the snug fitting.

A further object is to provide the upper end of the inflatable member with a flexible loop or strap adapted to arch the chin or head of the wearer for supporting the head during a swimming operation, thereby preventing easy or quick exhaustion of the wearer, who must remain afloat long periods until rescued.

A further object is to taper the inflatable member so that its buoyancy will support the body in an upwardly inclined position.

A further object is to provide a pliable elongated belt arching the abdomen and chest of the wearer for attaching the inflatable member to the body.

A further object is to terminate the tapered end of the inflatable member below the spine of the wearer and to shape the same so that it will not interfere with the movement of the legs of the wearer during a swimming operation.

With the above and other objects in view the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawing, described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within 0 the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

in the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a device showing the life buoy device in position for use.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the inflatable buoy.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the inflatable member.

Figure 4 is a view of the neck portion of the rubber suit worn by the swimmer. V

Figure 5 is a view in elevation of a modified form of the device showing an inflatable rubber suit.

Figure 6 is a vertical detail sectional view 2 Claims. (01. 9.40)

through a portion of one of the legs of the device shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the upper end of the inflatable member showing the head supporting strap.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figure 1 and the form of the invention shown therein, the numeral I designates a rubber suit adapted tobe placed on the body and 2 the neck thereof which is formed from contractible material, for instance rubber, so that the body may be placed in the suit by stretching the neck; said neck contracting to form a water tight neck connection for excluding water from the suit. If desired a head hood 3 may be used for protecting the head from the constant wash of water during a swimming operation. The device is particularly adapted as a life saving means where passengers have to keep afloat a considerable time before rescued. To maintain the body of the operator afloat an inflatable member 4 is provided which is placed on the back and is provided with straps 5 which in turn have buckle connections 6 with a chest and stomach engaging band 1, which conforms to the contour of the body and holds the inflatable member 4 in position against the back of the operator and conforming to the curvature of the back of the operator, therefore it will be seen that as waves engage the inflatable member 4, it will not move in relation to the body and chafe the body. Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that inflatable member 4 is large at its upper end and tapers to a thin portion at its lower end below the base of the spine of the operator. By providing this particular shape, the body of the operator will be supported in an upwardly inclined position where the head will be in a normal position during a swimming operation and one which will not cramp the neck. This particular shape also allows freedom of movement of the legs during a swimming operation.

To further insure the support of the head of the operator in a position where it will not tire the neck, the upper end of the inflatable member 4 is provided with an adjustable strap 8, which arches the chin 9 of the operator and assists in supporting the head, as clearly shown in Figure 1. The inflatable member 4 is provided with a conventional form of valve l0, through which the device may be inflated, however it is preferably provided with a tube II which may lead to the operator's mouth so that the inflatable member may be inflated or be maintained inflated'while in use.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, in this form the suit la is formed of rubber and has an air chamber lb therein, into which air is forced through a valve lc in the usual manner. The walls forming the chamber lb are preferably connected together by ribs Id for preventing excessive bulging at any particular point. v

From the above it will be seen that a life saving device is provided which is simple in construction, will conform to the contour of the body and constructed in a manner whereby it will support the body of the wearer in an upwardly inclined position during a swimming operation. It will also be seen that means is provided for bracing and supporting the head while a person is in the water.

The invention having been set forth what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A buoyant belt comprising an inflatable member adapted to be strapped to and conform to the contour of the back of the wearer, means carried by the inflatable member and adapted to engage the chest and abdomen of the wearer for maintaining the inflatable member in engagement with the back of the wearer, said inflatable member being downwardly tapered whereby the body will be supported in an upwardly and forwardly inclined position in the water, the upper enlarged end of the inflatable member terminating in registry with the back of the neck of the wearer, a loop carried by the upper end of the inflatable member, said loop arching the head of the wearer and chin of the wearer and forming means whereby the weight of the head of the wearer is supported from the upper end of the inflatable member.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head arching member is sufficiently large whereby the head will be supported in a position where the neck of the wearer will be spaced from the upper end of the inflatable member.

JAMES GAMMAITONI. 

